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Let $a \in \mathbb{R}$ and consider a solution (sufficiently regular) of the equation

$$\left\{ \begin{aligned} u_{tt} +a u_t - u_{xx} & = 0, \quad t > 0, \quad x \in ]0,1[, \\ u(0,t) & = u(1,t) = 0, \quad t > 0, \\ u(x,0) & = \varphi(x), \quad u_t(x,0) = \psi(x), \quad x \in [0,1]. \end{aligned} \right.$$

Define the energy associated to this equation by

$$E(t) := \frac{1}{2} \int_0^1 (u_t^2(x,t) + u_x^2(x,t)) \, dx.$$

I have to show that $$E(t) = -ak(t) + E(0),$$ where

$$k(t) = \int_0^t \int_0^1 u_t^2(x,s) \, dx \, ds.$$

I considered showing that $\displaystyle \frac{d}{dt} (E(t) + ak(t)) = 0$, thus showing that $E(t) +ak(t)$ is constant and equal to $E(0)$. We know that

$$\begin{aligned} E(0) & = \frac{1}{2} \int_0^1 (u_t^2(x,0) + u_x^2(x,0)) \, dx \\ & = \frac{1}{2} \int_0^1 ( \varphi^2(x) + \psi^2(x)) \, dx. \end{aligned}$$

Differentiating the expression gives

$$\begin{aligned} \frac{d}{dt} E(t) + ak(t) & = \frac{1}{2} \int_0^1 \frac{\partial}{\partial t} (u_t^2 +u_x^2) \, dx + a \int_0^1 u_t^2 (x,t) \, dx \\ & = \int_0^1 (u_t u_{tt} + u_x u_{xt}) \, dx + a \int_0^1 u_t^2 (x,t) \, dx \quad (\star). \end{aligned}$$

Integrating by parts the term $u_x u_{xt}$ gives

$$\begin{aligned} \int_0^1 u_x u_{xt} \, dx & = u_x \cdot u_t \bigg\vert_0^1 - \int_0^1 u_t u_{xx} \, dx \\ & = u_x(1,t) u_t(1,t) - u_x(0,t) u_t(0,t) - \int_0^1 u_t u_{xx} \, dx. \end{aligned}$$

Substituting this back into $(\star)$ gives

$$\begin{aligned} \frac{d}{dt} (E(t) + ak(t)) & = u_x(1,t) u_t(1,t) - u_x(0,t) u_t(0,t) + \int_0^1 u_t \underbrace{( u_{tt} +au_t -u{xx} )}_{=0} \, dx \\ & = u_x(1,t) u_t(1,t) - u_x(0,t) u_t(0,t). \end{aligned}$$

I get stuck here. I don't think I know anything about the remaining terms to claim it is zero. Am I on the right track or is there another way?

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  • $\begingroup$ Your answer looks very careful, but is it possible you could assume $u$ is time differentiable on your boundary? I am not sure from "sufficiently regular" if you mean only exactly so to satisfy the equation, or if you can buy yourself a little more. $\endgroup$ Dec 2, 2014 at 14:03
  • $\begingroup$ @JasonKnapp I believe sufficiently regular means "differentiable for whatever you may need". That's how I'm treating it. :) $\endgroup$ Dec 3, 2014 at 0:34

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I think your calculation is correct.

Look at your boundary information, $u(0,t)=u(1,t)=0$ for all $t >0$. Then the functions $f(t) = u(0,t)$ and $g(t) = u(1,t)$ are constant for $t > 0$. Invoking "sufficient regularity," let us say then that $f$ and $g$ are differentiable ($u_t$ exists at $x = 0$ and $x=1$), and thus since constant have derivative $0$. This will eliminate the final terms in your estimates.

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